The Sacred & Savoury North
Minho: faith and a rich table
If we had to sum up Minho in two words, religion and gastronomy would come to mind without hesitation. Known as Portugal’s religious capital, Braga already hosted an active Christian community in the 3rd century. Later, in 561, it became one of the Iberian Peninsula’s oldest archbishoprics, which helped fill the city with religious buildings — the historic centre alone has more than 30 churches, including three of the country’s most important: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro, Braga Cathedral and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, whose monumental stairway is UNESCO World Heritage since 2019.
Around these places of worship, pilgrimages and processions flourished — and they usually ended gathered around a table, in communion. A dish was needed to nourish both body and spirit and feed large groups. Enter Arroz de Sarrabulho with Rojões: a recipe that wastes nothing. The pork is fried in its own lard together with tripe that is stuffed with a savoury flour-and-spice mix. The animal’s blood is reserved to enrich a brothy, aromatic rice, cooked with liver, heart and traditional cured meats.
We start with a guided visit to Bom Jesus do Monte, ascending on the first funicular built in the Iberian Peninsula — today the only water-balanced funicular still operating in the world. After a short drive to Braga’s centre, we continue with a guided visit to Braga Cathedral. Then we head to Ponte de Lima, where you’ll savour the famous Arroz de Sarrabulho with Rojões in one of the town’s oldest traditional restaurants.
We finish with a guided walk through Ponte de Lima’s historic centre, including the Main Church and the medieval bridge over the Lima River.
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